EVENING. People.

Want Your Own Purple Heart? Just Call In An Order

November 21, 1995

You want a Purple Heart license plate for your car?

OK, first fill out application form 83034 for a military plate. Then submit it along with proof of eligibility from the U.S. government -- a copy of your discharge papers, perhaps, identifying you as a recipient. And, of course, pay your regular tag fee plus $2.50 for the specialized plate.

Well, just flip open a catalog and order one. Prices begin at around $35.

Go figure.

There's been quite a lot of head-scratching, actually, since December of 1993, when the Defense Department relaxed United States Code 704 prohibiting the sale of Purple Hearts and other medals. (The sole exception is the Congressional Medal of Honor, which may not be manufactured, sold or worn under false pretenses.) Veterans and veterans' groups decried the move, which they say devalues a medal that comes at extremely high cost: Purple Hearts are awarded only to those injured or killed in combat.